By Oliver Archibald
Ever since the invention of the printing press, books have been the main way people learn and spread information. But now that e-books are on the rise and tablet and e-reader technologies spread, some are questioning whether or not the book as a physical object will go away.
For book collectors and those that love the feeling of bound pages in hand, it's unlikely that they'll ever be won over by digital files. However, that won't slow or stop the tide of technology.
On paper or on screen?This is a debate many people are currently having. After all, with all sorts of new tech available seemingly every second, who needs paper bound books anymore? Others cling desperately to their hardbacks and won't let go. So, who's right?
The answer is both! There's much to be said for keeping up with the tide of technology. After all, MP3s replaced CDS, which replaced cassettes and DVDs replaced VHS. The content contained on each of these media forms is the same, just the vehicle for delivering it changed.
The same goes for books now. What used to be delivered on ink and paper can now be transmitted digitally by a small file onto your computer, e-reader or even your phone. Many online shops accommodate this include Amazon and iTunes.
Still, some would rather read their favorite novels on paper and that's perfectly fine. It's unlikely that the book as a tangible object will go away anytime soon and if anything, it might encourage the book collecting trade, just like some enjoy putting together massive collections of records.
From the Amazon Kindle to the iPad and beyondThe emergence of numerous tablet devices in recent years have also spurned on the e-book trade. The Amazon Kindle and the iPad are two of the most popular. The Kindle features an e-ink screen, which means it can be read under direct sunlight and doesn't strain your eyes as a traditional screen would. However, its functions are fairly limited and pretty much only allow you to read printed materials like books, newspapers, magazines and so on.
The iPad, and other tablets like it, are fully-featured devices that allow you to read ebooks easily, but also allow you to listen to music, surf the web, chat, email and perform just about every desktop computer function you can think of. While some tout this as the superior kind of device because it offers so many features, others criticize it, especially book lovers, because they provide too numerous a distraction from the act of reading.
It's unlikely that hardcore book enthusiasts and e-reader lovers will ever see entirely eye to eye. But for the moment, the argument doesn't even really need to happen. After all, there's enough room in the world for physical books and e-books. And the beauty of it is both feature the exact same content. So long as the tradition of people picking up a book—in whatever format—and losing themselves in a story survives, nobody has anything to worry about.
Oliver Archibald created this post on behalf of PrinterInks, the leading source for ink cartridges, toners and many other printing supplies throughout the UK and Europe. Interested in contributing a guest blog post of your own? Check out the guest blogger guidelines. Flickr photo courtesy of no_typography_man